Electropeorus



2 Sheets-Shee 1.

(No Model.)

J. D. CULP.

ELEGTROPHORUS.

No. 388,105. Patented May 22, 1888.

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(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. D. CULP. ELEGTROPHURUS. No. 383,105. Patented May 22, 1888.

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JAMES I). CULI), OF SAN FELIPE, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTROPHO RUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 383,195, dated May 22,1888.

Application filed Septsmher 1U, 1585. Serial No. 176.696.

To @ZZ whom z5 may concern.-

Be it known that I, Jarras Drains Corr, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Felipe, in the county of Santa Clara and State of California, have invented certain new and useful In'iprovenients in Electrophori and Applications of the Same, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the construction and application of the apparatus known as the electrophorus7 for generating electricity, bythe inductive action of an electrified plate of non-conducting material upon a metal plate which is alternatively applied to and removed from the inducing non-conductor.

The object of the invention may be considcred as threefold: first, to increase the efiiciency of the clectrophorus as an electrical generator; second, to employ it as a means for generating ozone, and, thirdly, to fit it for certain special uses as an ozonegenerator or otherwise.

In the accompanying drawings, which forni part of this specification, Figure I is a perspective view of a combined fan and electrophorus, which embodies the several improve ments in apparatus formingpart of this invention, and is adapted for carrying the methods of the invention into effect. Fig. Il is a longitudinal section of the electrophorus, which lnay of course be employed independently of the fan as a separate article or in various connections or combinations. Fig. III is a partial longitudinal section in a plane at right angles to that of Fig. II, and Fig. IV is a plan illustrating another mode of using the elec trophorus. Fig. V is a face view showing the two parts of a hand-elcetrophorus adapted for use after the mode represented in Fig. IV, and Fig. VVI is a longitudinal section ot' the same parts placed together face to face, as they would commonly be placed when not in use.

In all the figures the metal plate or sole A is placed between the non conducting inducing-plate B, of hard rubber or other suitable material, and the insulating back plate, C, for which wood will answer. Iy having the hack of the sole thus covered with insulating inaterial it is believed that the power of' the clcctrophorus is increased in consequence of reciprocal induction between the inducing-plate B, the sole A, and the back plate, C. Two

(No model.)

pins, a, commonly known as earth-pins, extend from the sole A through the inducing plate B, and have their upper ends flush with the su rface of said plate B. Preferably each pin is placed about midway between the center and the edge of the inducing-plate. It is believed that there is considerable advantage in the use of the two pins over the use of the single pin generally employed, or of three or more pins arranged at the angles of a triangular or other closed ligure, the superiority residing in the case with which the electrophorus is charged in all conditions of atmosphere, the quantity of electricity developed, and the length of time during which it retains its cl'iarge. The earth-pins are each the center of a field of varying potential, and when the two pins are used the fields seein to strengthen each other. Such a reciprocal action could, of course, not take place with a one-pin electroph orus, as there would be but a single field, and with three or more pins arranged as stated the action of the fields upon one another appears ratherto weaken than tostrengiheu them.

The induced plate D is in the form of a metal sheet or foil mounted upon a backing, E, of insnlating material. This construction has the ad va'ntage ofpermitti ng a reciprocal induction between the indueingplate li, the induced plate l), and its backing E, and thereby increasing the power of the electrophorus. It also has the further advantage of permitting very thin metal to be used for the induced plate and oi' furnishing an insulator for hold ing it.

For many special uses it is desirable to have the two parts of the electrophorus hinged together. One of these parts comprises the in` d uccd plate, with any accessories which may be used-such as the backing E, forexample and the other part comprises the inducingplate and sole, with any accessories. It is most convenient and advantageous to connect the hinge with a nonconducting plate on one part of the electrophorus, so that said plate will insulate the sole from the induced plate. The backing E may be utilized as such nou-conducting plate. y

Referring to Figs. I to III, the inducing-plate and the backing E are each provided with a lateral extension, and are hinged together at the outer ends of said extensions by means IOO of thcjournal screw-pinjl the backing l, which Forms a handle to the instrument', is provided with a` conductor, F, in the form of a metal sheath, which, as shown in these figures, is in electrical connection with the sole A through the journal-pin f and an extension of the sole along the under side ot` the extension of the inducingplatc Il. 'lhe Object ol' using a sheath is to strengthen the. lo handle. As a conductor it establishes an electrical connection with the hand ofthe user, and by having it in electrical connection with the solo A the latter is likewise in connection with the hand ol' the user. The comluctor F, I5 and consequently the sole A also, are insulated from the induced plate l) hy the body ot' the backing E.

rlhe pinfis made removable, so that the two parts ofthe instrument can be separated, and 2o the extension ofthe sole A is loft exposed, so

that when the parts are separated the said extension, heilig grasped by the user, (see Fig. TVQ may connect the sole eletztrically with his hand. It would snlliec if only a small portionMsay the edges-of the conductor or exA tension were exposed. \Vhcn they are hinged together, the motion ol' the two parts ot' the electrophorns away from each other islimitcd by a stop, g, which, as shown, is made adjust- 3o able, so that thc amount ol' motion maybe regulated. it consists ot' a pin set in an inclincd slot, li, which is provided with a number of notches, in any one of which the pin may be set. A rubber sheath, serves asa bufi'er.

On the outside of backing E are placed a series otsparking-electx-tinies, e, anda switch, 1.', whereby said electrodes may be placed in or out ot the circuit, the gap bei ng made less 4C or more than the striking distance of thc electric spark. The electrodes c might of course be omitt ed, the switch heilig connected directly with the conductor-1F; hut by the use ol" a number ot' sparking-points a more pleasing effect is produced. The electrodes e, moreover, it will be observed, arc so arranged that the elec tricity has two paths ol` about equal resistance open to it. It will dart sometimes across one and sometimes across the other. 5C In Fig. l a fan, (i, is fastened to the back plate, C, and extends beyond the electropho rus. By working the t'an in the ordinary way lthc induced plate l) is alternately applied to and removed from the inducingplate l). The 5 same eITeet is likewise produced by wagging the electrophorus alone, and it is also evident thatthc plates ol` the cleetrophorus would actas a tan and might he made as large as den sircd.

ltel'crring to Figs. and Vl, thc hack plate, C, and the lnteking 1*] are each provided with a lateral extension, which serves as a handle, b d, respectively. The sole A is also provided with an extension, as in Figs. I to IV, which is sulliciently exposed to establish an electrical connection with the hand of the user. In this instrument the handle l is lett unprovided The extension ol i, on the pin i with an exposed conductor and the backing Fi is without the spar-kilig-electrodes or switch; but it is evident that these things could be supplied the same as shown in Figs. I to lV, it' it were desi red to use them.

ln using the instrument shown in all or any ot` the figures the inducing plate .li is electrically excited in any ordinary orsuitablc way as by rubbing with a silk handkcrchicl-and the plate l) is alternately applied to and removed from said inducing-plate l. then it is applied, it heroines charged with electricity of opposite sign hy the action of the elect rilied inducing-platte i3. they transfer ol' electricity between the induced plate and thesole being ordinarily evidenced by a spark to or lroni one ol` the earth-pins (l. \\lhen itis removed, the electric charge, heilig no longer under the attraction ot` the inducing plate, seeks to escape. lt may discharge instantaneously as a spark or siowly as a brush. For the production of ozone the instrument is repeatedly discharged alter the slow or brush like manner at regular or irregular intervals. Ozone is generated in simili quantities by meansol'thesparks; hutthegcnerationisluuch less etiicient. The slow or brush-like discharge employed for the production et ozone takes place with either ol' the instruments shown; butin the instruments shown in Figs. l to lV the switch L must he turned so as to pnt its point out of striking distance from the pin c. The induced plate l) and any conductor connected with it must ol' course he kept out of striking distance o|` the ground or the sole, or any conductor leading to either ol` them,when the said induced plate l) is moved away from theinducing-plate. The slow or hruslrlike discharge of the electricity takes place in virtue ot the extremely high tension, and it is facilitated by having the induced plate and metal parts connected with it of such t'orm that the electric charge, when released trom the attraction of theelectrilied plate l, will, under the wellknowu laws l'or the distribution ot' free electricity on conducting surfaces, accumulate in great density atcertain points say the edges ol` the foil, lor example.

dien it is desired to use the instrument ot` Figs. ,lV to IV l'or the exhibition ot sparks, the switch L1 is turned so that the resistance between itself and other parts of the dischargingcircuits is not so great as to prevent the passage of the sparksthat is to say, it is placed within striking distance ol` the pin c. Ot' course an instrument could be made with the sparking points orclectrodes and withrult any switch or circuitehauger; but in that case it would not have the like capacity l'or use as an ozone generator.

The instrument can be operated willi the parts connected as in Figs. I to l Il', or separated and held one in each hand, as in Fig. 1V, for the generation ot oxonc by the slow discharge, or for the exhibition of sparks.

Modifications may be made in thc details without departing from the spirit ot' the in- IOO IIO

veution, and parts ci' the invention may be used separately.

I claim as my invention or discovery-- 1. In an electrophorns, and in combination with thc inducing and induced plates thereof, the sole provided with an insulating plate or cover on the opposite side from the inducingplate, substantially as described.

2. An electrophorus having two pins eX- tending from the sole through the inducing plate, substantially as described, in contradistinction to an electrophorus with a single pin, or with more than two pins, arranged at the corners ot' a triangular or other figure.

3. In an electrophorus, and in combination with the sole and the inducing-plate, the in duced plate formed of a thin metal sheet or foil and the non-eoudncting backing to the same, substantially as described.

4. In an clectrophorus, and in combination with the sole and the imlncing-plate, the induced plate formed of a thin metal sheet or foil and the non-conducting backing to the same, having a handle insulated from the induced plate formed on said tracking, substantially as described.

5. An cleetrophorus having the two parts thereof, one containing the induced plate and the other the inducing-plate and thc sole, hinged together, and provided with a nonconducting plate, with which said hinge is connected, and whereby the induced plate is insulated from the sole, substantially as de scribed.

6. An elcctrophorus comprising theinducing-plate, thc sole, the insulating plate or cover on the opposite side of the sole from the inducing-plate, the induced plate, and the backing ot' said induced plate, substantially as described.

7. An clectrophorus having the two parts, whereof one part comprises the induced plate and the other the inducing-plate and sole, provided each with a lateral extension which serves or may serve as a handle, that on the y for the generation of ozone by applying at iuinduced plate being insulated therefrom, and that on the other part having an exposed conductor connected with the sole, substantially as described.

8. An electrophorus having the two parts, whercoi' one part comprises the induced plate and the other the imlncingplate and sole, provided one with a hollow handle and the other with an extension into said handle, and having a hinge between said parts, substantially as described.

il. An electrol'ihorus provided with a han die and having the two parts hinged together', one part being` Free to move toward and away from the other when theinstrument is wagged, substantially as described.

10. An clectrophorus having the two parts provided cach with a lateral extension which may serve as a handle, and dctachably con nected by a hinge-joint, so that said electrophorus may be used with the parts detached or connected, the handle or extension on the one part being insulated from the induced plate and on the other provided with an exposed conductor electrically connected with the sole, substantially as described.

11. An electrophorus having two parts,each provided with a lateral extension which may serve as a handle, one part comprising the induced plate and the backing therefor and having the handle insulated from the induced plate, and the other part comprising the inducing-plate, sole, and cover, and having in the handle an exposed conductor electrically connected with the sole, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the two parts of an eleetrophorus hinged together, of an adjustable stop for limiting the motion of said parts away from each other, substantially as described.

13. The combination, with the two parts of an electrophorus, of a hollow handle on one part, an extension of the other part into said handle, and thc adjustable stop or pin,snb

stantially as described.

llt. Au elcctrcphurus having one of the two parts provided on the back or outside with two or more points or electrodes separated by a suitable space to he leaped by the spark when the ind uccd plate is discharged, substantially as described.

15. Thecombination,with thcclectrophorus, of two or more sparking points or electrodes and a switch, all in the dischargingcircuit of the clectrophorus, substantially as described.

1li. An elcctrophorus having in the discharging-circuit points or electrodes arranged to leave two at the least paths of about equal resistance for the sparks to pass, substantially as described.

l?. In combination with a ian, an electroph1 crus having a portion free to vibrate under the toeand-t'ro motion of the fan for the generation of ozone or production of sparks or other purpose, substantially as described.

18. The method ot` working an electrophorus tervals the induced plate ofasuitable elcctrophorus to the inducing non conductor thereof` and removing said plate from said non-con ductor at'ter each application, and causing the electrical charges thus repeatedly induced to be discharged slowly or as brushes, substantially as described.

19. An clectrophorus having the two parts hinged together and provided with an inducing-plate disconnected from sparking points or electrodes, substantially as described.

2l). An clectrophorns having the two parts provided cach with a lateral extension which may serve as a handle, and the induced plate disconnected from sparking points or elcctrodes, substantially' as described.

21. An elcctrophorus having the two parts hinged together and provided on the hack or outside with sparki ng points or electrodes, substantially as described.

An clectrophorus having the two parts IOO IIO

hinged together :1nd provided on the back 01 ing in the dsehm'gilig-eireuit` of sand induced Outside with sparking points or electrodes, i plate,snbstiilntinllyas described. :1nd provided :dse with n` Switch or Ciicniti In testimony whereof I have affixed mysigchanger in eirenib with sind points 0i' eleel nature in presence ol'iwo witnesses.

trades, snhntninli-ldly as l'lesei'ibed. J'. I). CULV.

23. An vleelx'nphnins having :L non-conducting bzwking 0n the induced plane :1nd

sparking poinsrn electrodes on the Suid hawk- \\"itnesses:

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